Sen. Begich Launches Bill to Expedite U.S. LNG Exports

Sen. Begich Launches Bill to Expedite U.S. LNG Exports

To create jobs at home and bolster allies abroad in the wake of tensions in Ukraine, U.S. Senator Mark Begich has introduced legislation to speed permitting for an all-Alaska natural gas pipeline and LNG project, as well as expanding U.S. natural gas exports to allies overseas.

Begich’s bill, The Freedom Through Energy Export Act, would extend all of the benefits of the 2004 Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act (ANGPA), excluding loan guarantees, to an all-Alaska route project with a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal.

“Recent events in Ukraine show just how delicate the balance can be between supplier and consumer,” said Begich. “Alaska has trillions of cubic feet of natural gas both onshore and off. With these massive reserves, we can create valuable jobs at home and help allies abroad.”

The benefits of Begich’s legislation would include empowering the Office of the Federal Coordinator to coordinate permits from 22 federal agencies on the massive $40-$60 billion project.

In addition to the Alaska focus, Begich’s bill also would update current law which outlines two tracks for permits to export LNG: an expedited one for LNG bound for countries with Free Trade Agreements and a slower normal one for all others. The legislation would add NATO members and long-time Pacific ally Japan to the expedited permit country list.

“LNG projects, like Alaska’s, can help our allies abroad who are forced to purchase from unreliable neighbors like Russia,” Begich said. “My bill will help us do just that by bringing Alaska natural gas to market and expanding our diplomacy through energy exports overseas. The less control President Putin has over world energy prices, the more freedom America’s friends and allies will enjoy.”

The bill was introduced Thursday. Other features include:

  • Providing expedited timelines for environmental reviews and permit approval to an all-Alaska pipeline and LNG project;
  • Requiring the Secretary of Labor to make grants to the Alaska Workforce Investment Board to train Alaskans and construct a training facility for the thousands of jobs created by the massive infrastructure project.

Begich also has sponsored Sen. Mark Udall’s S. 2083, a bill to expedite the LNG export permit process for all World Trade Organization member countries.

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Press Release, March 10, 2014; Image: begich.senate.gov